Abstract: A snow and ice evaporating device that is an untethered device easily usable by an individual. The device has elements that resemble a traditional snow blower as well as a lawn mower, but that includes a salt hopper and a propane tank. The snow blower end operates much like a traditional snow blower with augers that break up snow and ice that are then expelled through a blower end. On the top of the device is a propane tank that provides flames to the bottom of the device, protected by a shroud that heat the surface being treated to melt both ice and snow. A salt hopper is situated on the back of the device which provides a means for applying salt to the treated surface to prevent refreezing. All portions of the device are easily controlled by and extended handle that the user uses to control these functions. The extended handle operates much like a lawn mower in that it allows the user to easily push the device which rolls on wheels and includes a kill switch to turn off the device in an emergency situation.

Abstract: A structure movement monitoring and emergency alarm system is disclosed utilizing a convention surveyor's laser transit. The transit is leveled and positioned to "shoot" across a structure that requires emergency monitoring, such as a building wall. The vertical reference position being established by the light beam, a video camera system is utilized to maintain a real-time image of the monitored area through the telescope of the transit. Using a computer for comparing, monitoring, and alarming, this visual image is digitized and referenced with a comparison grid. At regular intervals, a new visual image is compared to the reference grid to determine the location of the structure, as well as any relative movement from the reference position. Audio and visual alarms can then be activated immediately upon the determination that the position of the monitored structure has changed past acceptable limits.